Steam iron



June 1.1, 1957 J. R, GQMERSALL 2,795,062

STEAM IRON Filed Dec. 9, 1955 4 A w INVENTOR.

` and using distilled water in their steam irons.

United States Patent 2,795,062 Y srrAi/i mon John R. Gomersall, lllginvlll:, assigner to McGraw- Edison Company, a corporation of Delaware Application 'December 9, 1953, Serial No. 397,086 ii claims. (Cl. ss-'m This invention is concerned generally with a steam iron, and more particularly with an improved sole plate and steam generating chamber therefor.

Steam irons `should be operated with distilled water to avoid depositing minerals present in ordinary tap water. Although housewives are radvised tol use only distilled water `in steam irons, and although distilled water is readily available in most localities andY isreasonable'in cost, most housewives just Awill not be bothered with obtaining i As a result, linie deposits' build up` in 'the evaporating chambers of steam irons, reducing heat transfer and eventually clogging the flow passages, and consequently b-ringing about shortworlring lives of the steam irons.

This invention contemplates the provision of a steam lirony wherein the sole4 plate'of the iron comprises the evaporatingchamber. Part of the sole plate is made removable so that the interior of the evaporating chamber is readily accessible; Accordingly, lime deposits readily can be cleaned mechanically from the Vevaporating chamber greatly to increase the useful life of the iron by maintaining the llow passages open and by precluding inefficient heat transfer. Since the sole plate is 'used for the evaporating chamber, therel is a tendency for heat to dissipate `rapidly from the bottom part of the'dhamber, thereby leading to ineilicient steam generation. The necessary joint between the removable part of the sole plate and the remainder thereof inhibits heat transfer to the removable sole plate part, and thereby tends to cause the removable part to extract heat from the steam generating chamber, whereas all parts of the steam generating chamber actually should add heat for the most efficient generation of steam. This tendency Vto heat extraction is undesirable as it would lead to inefficient steam generation.

It is an object of this invention tot provide a steam iron having the steam generating chamber incorporated in the sole plate above a removable part thereof, and wherein the ceiling ofthe steam generating chamber is provided with ribs adapted to extend toward the removable part and down into the water'of the chamber for heating the water.'

A further object of this invention is to provide a steam iron as hereinbefore set forth having troughs in the tioor ofthe steam generating chamber complementary to the ribs to maintain the volume of lthe steam generating chamber at a minimum while maintaining a maximum heatftransfer area, and to maintain the water in the best evaporating Contact with the ribs in the ceiling of the chamber.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a steam iron of the character previously set forth wherein the removable portion of the sole plate comprises a slidable insert, and the ribs and grooves are arranged longitudinally to permit slidable insertion and withdrawal.

Y.A still further object of this invention is to provide a steam iron of the character previously described wherein the ribs are interrupted to facilitate efficient steam flow Without the Ventrapment of water.

line 4-4 of Fig. A3;

2,795,062 Patented .luned ll, 1957 invention will be understood from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein: Y g y Fig. lis aperspective view ofa steam iron incorporatingthey principles of the invention; Y

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a sole plate Vconstructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. V3- is abottom view ofthe sole plate with the insert removed; Y Y Y Eig. 4 is a longitudinalv sectional view taken along the Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along lthe Vline 5 5 throughV one of the ribs and complementary troughs;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 6f6 of Fig. 3 intermediate-` adjacent ribs K ing configuration.

and complementarytroughs;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view'taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Fig 3; Y

Fig. V84 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View similar to a portionof Fig. 4 showing a modified form of water inlet; y

Fig. 9 is'an enlarged view of the rear end of the insert showing al modification thereof; and

Fig. 10 is a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 7.

The steamiron It-comprises a base orbody 20 to which is suitably affixed a soleplate 22. vVarious means are well known in the art for aixing sole plates to iron bases or bodies, and-anyone or more of such means may be used. Theironfurther is provided with a handlel 24 of heat insulating material and with a .heat indicating or control unit 2o. jA water tank-orr reservoir is suitably supported within the base/or body 20 and means 23 is provided at the forward portion of the handle for 'filling this tank. l.

The soleplate 22 is provided with a generally rectangular recess 30 preferably having a slight longitudinal taper and opening rearwardly of the sole plate. The recess `is providedwithdovetailed longitudinal edges 32 and the front edge also is provided with a dovetail or shoulder 34. The ceiling 36 of'the recess is provided with longitudinally extendingand-'laterally spaced ribs 38.Y These ribsv preferably are triangular in cross section and are interrupted at spaced intervalsas at 40 asbest may be Vseen in Figs; 3 and 5. The interruptions preferably :are-provided with oblique edges as shown in Fig.y 5 Yfor facility inmanufacture 4thereof and for improved steam ow.

A heating element is provided' for the iron and may takethe form of a resistance element 42 cast in place-in a ridge 44 on top of and integral with the sole plate. Alternatively, the heating element couldrbe clamped on top of the sole plate or otherwise suitably afxedrin close proximity thereto.

A solev plate insert 46 is provided and is generally complementary in form to the recess 30, having dovetaillongitudinal edges 48 and a dovetail front edge 50. The recess andthe insert preferably are not quite perfectly rectangular, but are tapered,'i. e. they have diverging-longitudinal edges to provide a close t and to facilitate insertion and removal. The bottom surface yof the insert forms a continuous lplane with thebottom surface of the remainder of the sole plate. The topsurface-SZ of the insert is spaced slightly below the ceiling 36 of the recess 30 to provide a boiler or evaporatingchamber 54 therebetween. The 'insert also is provided Withtroughs 56 extending longitudinally from end to end ofthe insert, and generally complementaryA to the ribs 38. Ridges 58 alternate withl the troughs 56 to give the top sui-face of the insertanundulat- The ribs 38 and complementary Vtroughs 56 provide a of heat transfer area while maintaining the volume of the evaporating chamber reasonably small. Accordingly, transfer of water into steam is engendered with high efficiency.

The insert 46 is provided at its rear end with a right angularly 4upstanding iiange 60 for closingr the rear end of the recess. A pair of water inlet tubes 62 is provided in communication with passageways through this iang'em at substantially opposite edges thereof. i' The passageways through the iiange communicate with the interior of the evaporating chamber 54 for passing water into the chamber from the tubes 62, the tubes 62being connected to the water storage tank (not shown) by any suitable means (not shown). Alternatively,` it will be understood that the water storage tank orreservoir could be disposed remotely relative to the iron and could be connected to the tubes 62 `by a suitable flexible tubeor tubes. Also, the water tank or reservoir could be supported on the rear portion of the iron and externally thereof and could be Y suitably connected to the tubes 62. Furthermore, it will be understood that the tubes 62 could fit through notches in the top of the ange 60, thereby obviating the necessity of detachable connections for the tubes.

The forward edge ofthe recess is provided with a steam channel 64 centralized from side to side of the recess and located above the dovetail 34. The steam channel 64 leads to one or more outlets 66 near the front end of the iron. The introduction of Water at points near the sides of the steam generating chamber by means of the tubes 62, and the emission of steam from the chamber at the front center thereof, combined with the ribs 38 and complementary troughs 56, insure uid flow over a large evaporating area with consequent high etiiciency of steam generation. The interruptions 40 in the ribs allow passage of steam inwardly toward the center line of the steam generating chamber from the longitudinal edges thereof without the danger of entrapment and carrying over of water thereby.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modication which may be preferred when the water storage tank or reservoir is disposed within the iron base or body 20. In this modiiii cation, the structure is generally the same as that heretofore disclosed, and accordingly is not shown. The parts that are shown comprise a sole plate 22a generally similar to that heretofore described and having a ridge 44a carrying a cast-in-place heating element. The sole plate is provided with a recess 30a similar to that previously described, and an insert 46a generally similar to that previously described and having an upwardly directed rear flange a ts in this recess. The distinguishing feature of this modification is that the water inlet tubes 62 cooperating with suitable apertures in the flange 60 are omitted, as are the apertures inthe flange. Instead, a pair of tubes 68 leads upwardly through the main portion of the sole plate 22 and substantially at opposite sides of the recess 30a near the rear end of the sole plate. Thisis advantageous in that a permanent connection can be made from the tubes to the tank or reservoir, whereas a detachable connection is necessary when the tubes lead to the iiange.

No specific structure has been Vshown in Fig. 4 for holding the insert in place against rearward withdrawal. It will be apparent that no additional structure may be necessary if the mating surfaces are machined to close tolerances as the tight lit engendered thereby readily will hold the insert, but will allow withdrawal thereof when such is desired. It will be understood that some additional structure often may be desired. As shown in Fig. 9 a screw 70 may pass through a slot 72 in the flange 6tlb and be threaded into a tapped hole 74 in the sole plate 22h., When the screw is turned into this holethe screw head 7 6 pulls the insert 46h in tight. flange or collar 78 thereon engages a shoulder 80 in the ange 60h to force the insert from place, a slug 32 may be suitably secured in the top of the slot 72 to hold the screw in the slot. f

. -It contemplated that in some instances itmight be When the screw is backed ott, a e

desirable for the ribs in the sole plate recess to contact the insert for improved heat conduction. This construction is shown in Fig. 10 wherein the edges 84 of the ribs 38o may be seen to engage the bottoms 86 of the grooves 56C.

It will be apparent that the interior of the evaporating chamber is readily accessible by sliding the insert 46 from place. Lime deposits thus readily can be scraped from the evaporating chamber. The construction of the ribs and complementary troughs insures excellent ilow characteristcs and efficient heat transfer.

It will be appreciated that the specific constructions herein shown and described are for illustrative purposes, and that various changes in structure are possible and form a part of the invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a steam iron, a sole plate having a rear edge and having a generally rectangular recess therein opening downwardly and outwardly through the rear edge of the sole plate, said recess being substantially smaller than the total area of said sole plate including said recess, a generally rectangular insert fitting into and closing off said recess, complementary guides on said sole plate and said insert extending substantially longitudinally of said sole plate for longitudinal sliding receipt of said insert in said recess, said insert and sole plate defining a steam generating chamber in said recess, water inlet means to said chamber, and means providing steam outlet means from said chamber.

2. The construction set forth in claim l and further including an upstanding flange on an edge of said insert to close olf the rear edge of said recess.

3. In a steam iron, a sole plate having a rear edge and having a recess opening downwardly of the sole plate and out through said rear edge, means adjacent said sole plate for heating said sole plate, a plurality of ribs on said sole plate depending into said recess, an insert cornplementary to said recess and longitudinally slidable thereinto, said insert and said sole plate having complementary longitudinal guide means thereon for slidable longitudinal insertion of said insert into said sole plate from the rear edge thereof and for retaining said insert in inserted position, said sole plate and said insert defining a steam generating chamber in said recess, means deiining water inlet means to said chamber, and means providing steam outlet means from said chamber.

4. The steam iron construction set forth in claim 3 wherein the ribs extend longitudinally of said sole plate and wherein the insert is provided with grooves complementary to said ribs.

5. In a steam iron, a sole plate having a recess therein opening downwardly of the sole plate and along one edge thereof, means adjacent said sole plate for heating said sole plate, a plurality of ribs integral with said sole plate and depending into said recess, said ribs being spaced apart and parallel to one another and having longitudinal interruptions therein, said sole plate providing edges on said recess substantially parallel to said ribs and adapted slidingly to engage an insert, an insert complementary to said recess and having edges slidably engageable with the edges of said recess for slidable insertion and wilhdrawal of said insert, said insert cooperating with said recess to form a steam generating chamber, said insert having grooves complementary with the depending ribs in said recess, each of said grooves being continuous from end to end, means providing water inlet means to said chamber, and means providing steam outlet means from said chamber.

6. The steam iron construction set forth in claim 5 wherein the water inlet means and the steam outlet means are spaced fromone another transversely relative to the complementary ribs and grooves to effect elteient fluid flow.

7. The steam iron construction set forth in claim 6 wherein the water inlet means comprises a pair of inlets at one end of said steam generating chamber and substantially at opposite sides thereof, and the steam outlet means comprises a single outlet at the other end of the steam generating chamber and sustantially on the center line thereof.

8. In a steam iron, a soleplate having a recess therein opening downwardly of the soleplate and outwardly through the rear edge thereof, said soleplate providing edges for said recess adapted slidingly to receive an insert,.an insert complementary to said recess and having edges engageable with said recess edges for slidable insertion of said insert into said recess from said edge thereof, said insert and soleplate defining a steam generating chamber in said recess, means providing water inlet means to said chamber, means providing steam outlet means from said chamber, and means acting transversely of said edge and substantially parallel to said sole plate for seating said insert tightly in said recess.

9. The steam iron construction set forth in claim 8 and further including means acting oppositely of said seating means for removing said insert from said recess.

10. In a steam iron, a sole plate having a recess therein opening downwardly and laterally of the sole plate through a peripheral edge, means adjacent said sole plate for heating said sole plate, an insert complementary to said recess, complementary guide means on said sole plate and insert substantially transverse of said peripheral edge for slidably receiving and detachably securing said insert in said recess whereby said insert forms with said sole plate a substantially continuous pressing surface, said insert cooperating with said recess to form a steam generating chamber, said insert having a generally at top surface having grooves therein, a plurality of ribs integral with said sole plate and depending into said recess, said ribs extending below the substantially at top surface of said insert and into the grooves therein, means providing water inlet means to said steam generating chamber, and means providing steam outlet means from said chamber.

ll. In a steam iron, as set forth in claim l0 wherein the means detachably securing the means in the insert comprises cooperating dovetail slide means associated with said sole plate and with said insert, said slide means, said grooves, and said ribs all being substantially parallel to one another whereby said insert may be slid in and out of said recess.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 477,660 Hunter June 28, 1892 1,143,050 Kake June 15, 1915 2,078,061 Cooper Apr. 20, 1937 2,162,918 Marvin Iune 20, 1939 2,542,858 ,oring Feb. 20, 1951 

